Make Zero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads from Recycled Towels!

Zero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.comZero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.comZero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.comZero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.com

Reducing waste with ecoconscious DIYs

I can’t tell you how excited I am about this little Sunday morning project! I’ve been trying to incorporate more and more Zero Waste strategies in our daily routine and be more conscious about waste reduction in my shopping decisions. Talking to my friend the other day, I told her that I’d heard about washable cotton pads and whether that wasn’t a bit too out-there to try. She laughed and said she just bought some on Amazon the other day and loved them. I loved the simplicity of the idea but was shocked how much money a bunch of terrycloth cotton pads cost online.

This is why I made my own recycling an old white towel. This was so simple and easy, it’s absolutely mind-blowing. I never thought of this before seeing the ready-made ones in shops. And you know what? You can make your own, too! Here’s how simple it is:

Materials: old towel or wash cloth, organza bag, scissors, overlocker & thread (or zigzag stitch)
Duration: 5 Minutes
Costs: Zero
Benefits: no waste, no more costs, recycling old materials

Zero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.com

Instructions

As you can see, you need just very few materials for this project. By the way, if you do not have an overlocker, you can also use a simple zigzag stitch on your machine to keep the fabric from fraying. It’s a bit slower, but works just as well.

First, I cut off the woven edges of my towel. This is really optional. If you’re feeling a bit lazy and don’t mind looks too much, you can keep them and save yourself some overlocking time of those edges. The fastest way to do the overlocking is by cutting long strips of your towel and overlock these before cutting them into smaller rectangles. Finish all four sides and you’re done! It’s that easy.

Zero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.comZero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.comZero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.com

You will need a little organza or cotton bag to put the used pads in. Just let them sit in the bag and throw it in with your next wash. The bag also keeps the pads together in the washing machine. I found a cute wooden tray (IKEA) to put my new cotton pads in and it looks really pretty in the bathroom now! You could also just use a little box or porcelain plate to keep them together and keep them clean. Just as your towels, you can wash these with up to 95°C. If you use them dry on your clean skin, you can also use them to exfoliate.

This was just a whole 35€ cheaper than my friend’s alternative from Amazon and she got just 7 pads in total. I made about 50 and will give some away as my mum and sister are also keen to try this. Nice, right?

Zero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.comZero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.comZero Waste Reusable Cotton Pads tutorial by thisblogisnotoforyou.com

What do you think? Do you feel like this could be something you might want to try? Do you have other suggestions for zero waste DIYs? Please let me know!

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!

facebook/bloglovin/pinterest
twitter/instagram

Stay in touch!

Off-the-shoulder top + voucher for your own Dutch Label Shop labels!

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com
Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

GOODBYE SUMMER

Hello everyone! We had a super warm and sunny weekend here in southern Germany – I suspect it’s gonna be bye bye summer clothes from tomorrow on for good. Before I get into the mood to get out all the knits and wools I want to share this cute little top I made this summer.

I made this top with less than 1 metre of cotton fabric and it only took me around 30 minutes to make! I followed Elisalex’s tutorial for drafting a very quick little pattern.

Instead of making the full-length dress I decided to go for a little top. I made quite a few dresses last summer, but found that I actually prefer wearing separates at work and at home. This is why I made a bunch of tops and jeans this year.

Making this top requires only a minimum amount of fabric. I used less than 1 metre plus some trim and elastic. This top has very few seams and doesn’t necessarily require hemming if you hide the overlocked raw edges under a cute trim. No darts, no fitting! This is the perfect Sunday morning project.

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com
Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com
Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I love how this top works both off and on the shoulder. The fabric I picked is fairly stiff, even after a few washes. I’m definitely going to make this top again, but probably a drapier fabric next time.

I really love the lace trim at the bottom! It makes this top so much prettier. Off the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.comOff the shoulder top by thisblogisnotforyou.comSew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.com

You seemed to really like my new labels, so the lovely folks over at Dutch Label Shop have a discount for you all to use if you want to create your own! You can use the code “thisblogisnotforyou15” to get 15% off your purchase in the next 30 days! 

Have a great week everyone!

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!

facebook/bloglovin/pinterest
twitter/instagram

Stay in touch!

 

New clothes labels & SEW OVER IT Silk Cami

Sew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.comSew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.comSew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Summer is almost over and I haven’t even shown you any of my summer makes yet! I made a couple cute summer tops this year I’ll share nonetheless, because they’re just too cute not to.

This one is an oldie but goldie! You all probably know the Sew Over It Silk Cami by now. I’m pretty late to join the party – but as I said, better late than never. I always knew this little pattern had massive potential to become a wardrobe staple in many ways, but for some reason it took me a couple of years until I finally bought it. I have no excuses. I probably thought this pattern was too basic to spent money on, but these are actually the patterns you want to invest in! A basic, well-drafted pattern is perfect to first get to fit right and then use as base for endless variations.

The Silk Cami comes together super quick and is perfect to show off really cute prints that don’t work well with garments that have a lot of seams, darts and pleats.

So this top was the right companion for this super cute fabric I have had in my stash for a few years now. I bought it at the first SewBrum Meetup in Lauren’s shop, Guthri & Ghani in Birmingham. It’s 100% cotton and was something around 18£/metre. I normally don’t spend that much money on cottons, but the print was love at first sight. I kept it in my stash for ages, because I was waiting for the right project to come along.

For me, the longer a fabric sits in my stash the less “valuable” it becomes. At first, I hesitate and dare not cut into the more expensive ones, but give it a few years and I will use them for wearable (well, mostly wearable) muslins. I know this makes no sense.

Well, this is why this gorgeous cotton ended up being used for my silk cami muslin. And guess what? It doesn’t fit! Good thing is, it fits my best friend perfectly and she’s more than happy to take it off my hands.

It’s just too tight around the bust and gaping a bit at the back neckline. I adapted the pattern accordingly and the second and third top I made are a great fit. But I have to say goodbye to my bear-behind-a-tent-fabric. Life is tough!

Sew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.com
Sew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Another great thing about this top – it colour-matches perfectly with my new labels. I’m so, so happy about them that I had to give them some more screen time on the blog. Here we go!Sew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.comSew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.comSew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.com

These wonderful labels are courtesy of The Dutch Label Shop who kindly approached me and offered to try out their costum-design labels. I was getting tired of my old ones that I’d been planning to update for a while, anyway.

I picked a sew-on label with very practical end folds –  so I could use these as a coat hook for lightweight cardigans, as well. I’m very happy about going back to the sew-on type. I had some iron-on ones made a few years ago by a different brand, that come loose after a few washing circles.

These labels might certainly be quite an investment for some, but the quality really shows compared to other brands.

What I really love about the ones from Dutch Label Shop is that you can upload your own design, costumising fonts and colours as well. This made it possible to incorporate parts of my blog’s design into the labels. Don’t they look fantastic?
Sew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.comSew Over It Silk Cami by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I have 200 labels now – I’m probably not anywhere close to having sewn 200 garments over the years – so these will last me a looooong time! I already started to sew these into some of my older handmade garments, just to take off some of the pressure, hehe.

Falling leaves or not, I’ll share some of my other summer makes soon!

Have a great week,

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!

facebook/bloglovin/pinterest
twitter/instagram

Stay in touch!

SEW OVER IT Ella Blouse & Burda Culottes

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com
SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com
SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Hi there! It’s been a while. We’re back from our summer vacation and the weather is finally cooling down enough for me to be able to use my sewing room again. (The drawbacks of having a very light space…) I did get some sewing done, though!

Today I’m sharing one of my most recent makes plus one make that was finished two years ago but never got any blog time.

I made these fabulous Burdastyle culottes a while ago. They turned out really neat, but were way too tight at the waist, although I had made a muslin before I started. So I had these really neat culottes that I couldn’t wear. Two years later they fit me well enough to be put on and photographed, but the fit is far from perfect. I won’t be wearing them any time soon.

The pattern is Burda Style Midi Culottes 04/2015 #113A.  If you’re interested in a more detailed review of the pattern, check out the wearable muslin I made. I used a medium-weight midnight-blue cotton, that was a breeze to sew with. I overlocked all the raw edges and used some purple satin bias binding to encase the edge of the seam at the waistband.

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.comSOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.comSOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.comOh, and check out my new amazing labels! (Courtesy of The Dutch Label Shop – there’ll be another post giving more details soon!) I had them match my blog layout, which I’m super happy about. I’ve got so many of them, I seriously need to up my sewing game now! But winter’s coming, so there’ll be plenty of time spent in doors way too soon!

But now on to the blouse!
SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

That second little pattern is the wonderful Ella Blouse by Sew Over It. It’s a pattern they’ve released quite recently. It’s a fairly simple and super quick little project I cannot recommend enough.  It doesn’t use up much fabric and a nice cotton or rayon fabric will do the job just fine. Another plus, no inserted sleeves, no zips or buttonholes! Which makes this project extra quick and pretty much fail proof.

I’m really happy with the fit. I was a bit concerned about gaping in the front, but there’s been no nipplegate yet. The only drawback I find is that you need some super high-waisted trousers or skirts to match with it, otherwise it’s not appropriate for work. Unfortunately, most of my high-waisted skirts are patterned, so I will have to make more plain skirts or more plain Ella blouses. I guess, I’ll end up making both!

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com
SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

SOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.comSOI Ella Blouse and Burda Culottes by thisblogisnotforyou.com

So…what’s next on my sewing list?
I’ll certainly make a few more Ella blouses, just because they are so easy to make, but as I said, I need more matching skirts! Also, there’s a Sew Over It Juliette Blouse already cut out waiting to be sewn and a few more Silk Camis planned. So quite a few SOI patterns! When I’m done with those, I have some really great autumn patterns lined most which are mostly going to be from Burdastyle magazine. (And there’s knitting to be done!) I definitely won’t be bored!

What are you sewing at the moment?

 

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!

facebook/bloglovin/pinterest
twitter/instagram

Stay in touch!

Lottie Blouse for Grandma

Lottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.comLottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.comLottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I’ve done it again! I thought I wouldn’t but then it happened. I made another Lottie Blouse. Gosh, you must think I’m super boring. To my defense, it’s just such a simple and quick sewing project. And, this time it wasn’t for me. I made this blouse for my grandmother.

I never made her anything before (makes for family and friends happen, but very rarely) and I think she likes it! I made another version of the button up, which is the hack I created for Love Sewing Magazine. Lottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.comLottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.comLottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.com

Because the pattern is so simple and easy to fit, I really enjoy taking time to get the details right. The construction involves a tiny bit of handsewing and also the button placket needs a bit of attention if you want it to look flawless.

The fabric is a gorgeous cotton lawn, gifted to me by Daniela. I really love it, although I usually don’t wear a lot of yellow. I also would’ve loved to keep this fabric to myself for an Anderson Blouse, but this was the fabric most fitting for my grandma, as she likes flowers and a warm yellow. I’m happy I sacrificed it, the blouse looks fab and I can’t wait to see her wear it. Although I don’t sew a lot for others, it’s always super satisfying to see someone else wear something you made, right?

The buttons are vintage, funnily enough I got them from my grandma a little while ago. So I’ve given them back to her with a blouse attached. Payback time!Lottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.comLottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.comLottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.comLottie Blouse by thisblogisnotforyou.com

I won’t answer the “Will I make it again?” question, because I can’t promise I won’t. I have plenty of Lotties for now, but who knows. I think this might be the 8th Lottie I made. Wow.

Do you have a sewing pattern which you use all the time?

xx

Charlie


Happy sewing!

facebook/bloglovin/pinterest
twitter/instagram

Stay in touch!